Permitted development – new rules in UK

Now it is allowed to build small extensions without planning permission. Any building has to abide by Building Regulations on safety and similar aspects. Also extension volumes are now not added together, so you can now have a loft conversion and a rear or side extension without exceeding what is allowed.

You can also build more easily on side plots.

But side views from windows towards neighbouring properties are more restricted (although this was always the case in my experience – we have used high level slot windows or obscured glass).

Outbuildings – ie sheds used as offices, studies or dens etc – do not have to be 5 metres from the main building now. So in theory you could build right next to the back door.

Hey thanks, Councils of UK!

Local councils have been taken down a peg by central Government. Local councils will invade all aspects of your life to make more cash out of fees, and extend their bureaucratic empires. This is in their nature as bureaucracies, no matter which political flavour.

However, extensions still have to match the existing style, so anything unusual has to get Planning.

This is logical as Planning is only about visuals, street scene, amenity, shadowing neighbouring properties and so on.

Verandas, balconies and raised platforms are excluded from the new rules.

In our recent new builds, we have had support from the Council involved (Wandsworth) for new designs. Most people don’t mind, but some busybody will get started and complain. They only need a bit of support from other people with nothing better to think about, to get the Council to fail an application. This is very annoying and expensive.